LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia — Indonesian maritime authorities have expanded their search efforts for a sunken tourist vessel in the waters of Komodo National Park, issuing a sweeping navigation alert that reaches far beyond the site of the accident.
The Class III Harbormaster and Port Authority, known locally as KSOP Labuan Bajo, has circulated a formal maritime notice to vessels operating within a radius of 150 nautical miles, roughly 277 kilometers, from the Padar Island Strait. The alert is intended to assist in locating victims from the pinisi sailing boat Putri Sakinah, which sank on the night of December 26, 2025.
The notice is being broadcast repeatedly through the coastal radio station in Labuan Bajo and targets all ships passing through the area, from cargo vessels to long distance maritime traffic.
“Our coastal radio station continuously transmits this navigation notice,” said Stephanus Risdiyanto, head of KSOP Labuan Bajo, on Friday, January 2, 2026. “It provides information about the maritime accident and its last known position.”
He said ships receiving the broadcast are asked to take immediate action if they encounter any sign of the vessel, debris, or survivors. Captains are urged to conduct assistance at the earliest possible opportunity and report their findings to the harbormaster, including location, type of object found, and any indication of victims, so search and rescue teams can respond quickly.
According to Mr. Risdiyanto, the VHF radio frequency used by the coastal station has an effective range of up to 150 nautical miles. While authorities do not assume the victims have drifted that far, strong and unpredictable currents in the Labuan Bajo area could carry debris or bodies well beyond the immediate search zone.
“Even if the victims are unlikely to be at that distance, powerful currents here can transport wreckage or people farther than expected,” he said. “That is why we need all passing vessels to remain alert and report anything unusual.”
The tragedy has drawn international attention because the victims are members of a Spanish family traveling in eastern Indonesia. Three people remain missing, including Fernando Martín Carreras, a coach with Valencia Women’s B football team, and his two young sons. One daughter was found deceased on Monday, December 29. His wife and youngest daughter survived the incident.
For many travelers and expatriates in Bali and across eastern Indonesia, the case underscores both the beauty and the risks of sailing in these remote waters. As authorities widen their call for vigilance across hundreds of kilometers of sea, the search continues, guided not only by rescue teams but by every ship now listening in.